Having interviewed Stinson Hunter in the past, I knew although he was controversial he was honest, the kind of person who 'says it as it is', what you see is what you get. I think that became apparent throughout the show as he talked about his childhood demons, his battle with mental health and his once drug addiction.
Stinson's show kicked off around 8pm, His supporters fired their questions, there were no holes barred........
Talking about his Childhood Stinson told the crowd how his ambition had been to become a train driver, his dream had been shattered after finding out at a young age he was in fact colour blind. He spoke about his life growing up in Children's homes and the demons that have never left him to this day. Emotional moments came as Stinson spoke about a grooming gang that had supplied him with drugs and alcohol as a child and the horrific things this gang had done to his friend. He spoke openly about his once heroin addiction and the crimes he had committed in his past. I sat there thinking is there any wonder this guy had turned to drugs and crime, growing up in care, witnessing horrific events. Stinson made no excuse for his past behavior as he spoke to the crowd describing his self as a once 'Scumbag', 'I was just naughty' he said, 'If someone told me not to do something I had to do the opposite it was just me'. It was only as he got older he knew he needed help to enable him to turn his life around.
Stinson landed himself a 10 year jail sentence for arson age 18, this is something he has spoken about openly in video's over social media many times before, he has never tried to hide the fact and he knows it was wrong as well as very stupid, but felt going to jail was what he needed to be 'Fixed'
Spending most of his life institutionalized, he had never felt like he belonged anywhere. He never excused his bad behavior and is deeply sorry for his crimes and that could be seen by the crowd as we all watched on.
The questions kept coming, Stinson didn't rush he took his time answering in depth. One guy thanked Stinson for raising awareness of online grooming, The guy spoke about how he had checked his Daughter's computer and found she was being groomed by a grooming gang in America, he went on to say had he not watched Stinson's sting video's he wouldn't have been aware of how easy it was for a child to be groomed online.
There was a lovely Lady who spoke about her own battle with mental health, how she had in fact contemplated ending her own life, she told how watching Stinson's video regarding his own battles with mental health had 'snapped her out of it' I thought wow, this women is here today because of the impact that video had made on her, Stinson Hunters impact had saved her life? That's pretty amazing stuff.
The show ended after 2 hours of questions and answers followed by a meet and greet in the bar area, Stinson Hunter asked the crowd not to offer him drinks he'd prefer they donated that money to a charity close to their heart.
The meet and greet gave an opportunity for people to talk privately with Stinson, also take plenty of photographs, the crowd loved him!! I noticed how no one was rushed or fobbed off, Stinson seemed genuinely grateful for the support and love his fan's shown towards him. One thing that surprised me was how none of the 'Stinson haters' had turned up to air their views, I've spotted plenty airing their feeling very publicly over social media, this night had been the perfect opportunity for them to get things off their chest face to face, why miss a chance like that!!
People had traveled far and wide to attend this event, North Wales, Scotland, Tamworth, London, Canada just to name a few places. I know from following Stinson's social media there have been requests for him to do the same thing worldwide!!
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